Nothing like a bit of focus

As I’m sure you’ll understand if you read my last post, I’ve had a lot on my mind recently.  If you’re tired of clicking at things and just want info in your face NOW, I’m having a baby. To put it more accurately, my wife is having a baby.

In actual fact, we’ve had an update since that news. We’re having a boy. I’ll admit that I’m pretty chuffed about this. I think I’m supposed to say that I’d be happy whichever sex it comes out as long as its healthy, but I’m definitely happier about him being a boy!

In other news, I have something else to focus on. Today, I officially entered the Brighton Marathon 2012 – paid up and everything. I currently run 2.3 miles (the distance home from work) in 19 minutes, which would set me up for a 3.5 hour marathon time at that pace. I’d like to get that comfortably under 3 hours if I can.

I’ve had loads of updates on work, cycling, web-ideas, and other stuff but I’ve got things to do, so I’ll leave you for now with this video of what I’ll be going through this time next year.

January review

So that was January. I didn’t get chance to post here anywhere near as much as I would have liked to but more on that later.

If you’ve been reading this from the start you might be wondering how I’m doing with my resolutions? Well, I started with the easiest item on the list and bought a new phone – I instantly feel more connected to the world, well…..more connected to Twitter anyway, and those of you who know me may have noticed I’ve kept in touch more over the last month? (what do you mean, no?).  This is a good thing and I’m pleased with myself, strong social relationships lead to greater happiness.

So what else…. sadly the other items on my wishlist remain out of reach for the moment, again….. more on that later. But if anyone reading this wants to buy any of the other items for me (Vespa, MGB, even the DAB Radio!) I’ll happily test them extensively and give them great reviews regardless!

In other resolution news I’m doing well with the fitness campaign, cycling to work is starting to get easier as its staying light that little bit longer. Ive been keeping up with the running too, even bought myself some proper running kit, so I’ll be sticking to the goal of the Brighton Marathon as soon as places become available.

As for everything else on my list, its kind of taken a breather for a short while. Its not that I’ve given up already, its just that I’ve got something else to focus on…..something rather big. I’m going to become a Father for the first time.

Again, for those of you who know me this may come as quite a shock, I’m not known for my love of children. I generally go out of my way to avoid them. Babies cry when I look at them, children who are normally talkative remain silent when I try and talk to them, I’m just not a children-person.

So my priorities are obviously changing, a 2 door car from 35 years ago is probably not the most practical thing to have my eye on, neither is a 2 wheeled Italian death-trap for that matter. Instead, I’m already researching nurseries and baby-carriers and worrying about where I’m going to move all the 18-rated DVD’s to.

Despite being absolutely terrified, I have to admit that I am more than a little excited. I’ve seen it move on a scan, its a real tiny person, its got (massive) lips. I swear I saw them move too, if I could lip-read I’d now be able to tell you what its first words were.

Our baby is due on July 27th and until that moment I am going to be a nervous wreck. (I’d imagine that from that moment, I will also be a nervous wreck!) I will try my best to crack a few more of my resolutions, and the business ideas may become extensively researched in a quest to work from home.

I’ve started thinking about names – if I were the comedian Russ Noble, would I name a daughter Cher?

How to: Pop-Up Shop

I’ve been thinking for a while about creating a pop-up shop, selling re-conditioned furniture and vintage accessories, items that I’ve picked up at markets and charity shops and given a new lease of life to.

I’m still at the stage of researching and collecting stock at the moment but I’ve come across this blog, ministry-of-found, which looks like it will turn out to be a very useful resource for anyone thinking about doing this.

So far its got interviews and tips from the likes of Selfridges, On/Off and Dan Thompson of the Empty Shops Network (which is also a vast resource of information)

Definitely one to follow.

Here’s a few tips from Lee Lapthorne, creative director of On/Off recorded for Ministry-of-found. See more over at the blog.

Top Shelf Advertising

You’ve all heard the expression “sex sells” right? Its obviously true otherwise advertisers wouldn’t put semi-naked people on billboards, or attempt to convince you that you’ll be irresistible to women with the latest Lynx product.

But what if you’re advertising in Playboy? Surely its a foregone conclusion that your ads should reflect the fact they’re being seen in what is effectively a top-shelf magazine.

But what if it was May 1970?

Here’s my favourite advertisements from Playboy May 1970.

1. Esquire Socks

Socks?!?!

Now what’s not to like about this advert? These guys are on the brink of drawing straws to see who’s going to be eaten first, their jeans are torn to shreds, they haven’t had a shave in at least 24 hours. But look at those socks. Not only are they staying up at mid-calf level but they look as if they’ve just been washed too. I really wish one of these guys (preferably the guy sitting up top at the back) was modelling the “anklet” style sock though, just for a bit of variety.

2. Benson & Hedges

Benson & Hedges

Now here’s a man who’s got everything,  a beautiful lady, a herringbone jacket, a white polo neck jumper,  and a box of Benson & Hedges Gold. This is a YES man. I can’t help thinking there’s some subliminal messaging going on here.

3. Sony Clock Radio

The Sony Nag

I’d really like one of these – it looks stylish, and its got a revolutionary snooze bar instead of a button. All these years I’ve been pressing a button with one finger, when I could have been pushing a bar with up to 3 digits. What was I thinking?

4.Wright Slacks

Wright Slacks

See how good you could look in a pair of Wright Slacks? This drawing of a man in some trousers has shown me the light. And look at his dog.

5. Johnnie Walker Red

Johnnie Walker Red

If I’m going to be drinking Scotch anytime soon, I want to be drinking it with this man.

Its party time in his world right now and he’s got a whole bottle to share, look how happy he is!

6. Hitachi

Hitachi Televsions

Almost makes me want to ditch my new LCD screen for one of these. I certainly don’t need trouble, no lover does. The white polo neck jumper makes an appearance in this ad too, it must be a sign of success (note to self: must go shopping for a new jumper).

He’s not even watching his new TV and he’s got a girl falling all over him, in fact he’s gone so far as to put one foot on it, this is usually a pose reserved for catalogue models pointing off into the distance with one foot on a log or a bench. Clearly, a confident man we’re dealing with here, I wonder how far those boots go up his legs?

Elsewhere in the magazine, Playboy attempts to lure in potential advertisers by giving out some of its reader demographics.

“2 out of 5 Playboy Readers have spent £500 on home furnishings in the last 2 years. And 2 /5 readers have spent £750 on “wall-to-wall carpets” within the last 12 months.” Now that’s luxury isn’t it, my carpets finish a good 3 inches before they get to the wall, more like a massive rug.

Some of the adverts I left out were for international airlines, Super8 cameras, reel-to-reel audio equipment, and even a full page advert for a photographic enlarger.

The average reader in 1970 was clearly a stylish assertive man, concerned with fresh breath, good aftershave and masculine cigarettes. He liked his drinks strong and unspoilt, he liked to listen to 8-track tapes on top of the range equipment, and probably fancied himself as a bit of a James Bond character.

One thing’s for certain, he didn’t like his socks rolling down.

Audiophile

I used to have a Dansette record player that i bought for 50p at a church jumble sale in Birmingham. I asked at the stall if it worked and the helpful guy plugged it in with a look of hope in his eyes and lo and behold, the turntable slowly started spinning. The speaker grille was broken in a few places, and the blue case was scuffed and stained but it worked, and it was mine.

When I got it home and put a record on it, Nothing. The tables had turned, or in this case had not. But for 50p it made a nice ornament.

A few years later, I found a Sony Solid State reel-to-reel player next to a Wheely bin on my road. I picked it up and took it home, and then went back for the detachable speakers. I never know if this worked or not but it looked great!

Nowadays, I’ve just got my Technics 1210′s, and Pioneer CDJ’s. Along the way I’ve passed the older (broken) items on to loving homes but I would say that this list qualifies me to be some sort of collector of audio equipment.

With that in mind, I can justify my desire for one of these….

 

A Brionvega RR226. Unfortunately, its still not available but its one of the most beautiful pieces of audio equipment/furniture I’ve ever seen. If this ever becomes available for sale, you can bet the price-tag will be astronomical, I’m saving already.

Can you see an iPod dock anywhere?

 

The Saatchi Gallery

I must go to London more.  I hate the place, but I think if I were more familiar with it, I’d grow to like it.

Last week, I went with my wife who works in Spitalfields and knows the geography of our capital city much better than I. We went to meet a good friend of ours who captured our wedding day on film beautifully last year. He was over for a few days before heading back to New York so we caught up for lunch and to take in some culture.

Despite the rain, I quite enjoyed walking from Victoria to Sloane Square as it gave me much more understanding of how that part of the city is laid out. I find you miss so much when you get the tube everywhere. Maybe I was lucky to be walking around nice parts of London!

From there we went to The Saatchi Gallery, and parts of it were absolutely fantastic. Richard Wilson‘s (not the actor) installation in the basement was an oil filled room which cast brilliantly perfect reflections of the ceiling and left you discussing how deep the oil might be, as well as gasping for clean air on your way out.

Richard Wilson's 20:50

Another stand-out piece for me was Tessa Farmer’s ‘Swarm.’ The miniature detail of this is beyond my comprehension, I’m a man who struggles with 5p’s! The piece itself was an insect hell, tiny apocalyptic skeletons, handcrafted and adorned with insect wings, attacking and bringing down an assortment of bee’s, wasps, spiders and dragonflies.

I can only imagine the patience required to create this piece.

Tessa Farmer - Swarm (detail)

And finally, my favourite part of the exhibition. A beautiful example of analogue meets digital timekeeping. Humans Since 1982‘s Clock Clock, composed of 24 analogue clocks which all turn every minute to display the time digitally. The choreography of this is simply stunning, almost hypnotic, and you’ll find yourself sticking around for another minute to watch it happen all over again.

 

French pin-ups

In 2009, I spent 5 months travelling around France with my girlfriend (now wife) and our dog. They say that when in Rome, do as the Romans do, so I assume that when in France, do as the French do and drink copious amounts of Red Wine.

At some point on our travels we started saving the corks from the wine bottles we had, and by the time we got back to England, the car was overflowing with the little things. They’ve been sitting in a cupboard for over a year and I’ve always said I’m going to do something with them. And here it is, a memento of our time drinking our way around a beautiful country, meeting beautiful people and creating friendships that will last a lifetime. And brilliantly, it doubles up as a noticeboard.

There’s a certain amount of irony about pinning things to remember into wine bottle stoppers no?

 

This is where the upcycling begins. Taking items ready for the scrapheap, and re-working them to fit into modern life. I’m hoping to do much more of this in the coming months and then you’ll see the beginnings of Flea Street Market.